According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls cause around 8 million injuries every year. In the state of Florida, 25% of older adults reported a fall in 2018. Sadly, slip and fall accidents affect people of all ages, from all walks of life, but it does not have to be this way. Many of these accidents are completely avoidable.
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, the attorneys at Bogin, Munns & Munns want you to know that you may be eligible for compensation. Our firm has proudly fought for slip and fall victims since 1979.
It is completely normal to feel uncertain about your future after a serious accident like this. With a Gainesville slip and fall lawyer by your side, you can focus on rebuilding your life while we handle the legal side of things.
From proving liability to negotiating settlements to calculating damages and beyond, our firm is here to serve all your legal needs during this difficult time in your life.
To learn more about seeking justice after a slip and fall accident in Gainesville, contact a Bogin, Munns & Munns team member today at (352) 332-7688 to get started with your free consultation.
Types of Recoverable Damages in Gainesville
Florida law allows you to seek economic and noneconomic damages after a slip and fall accident. That means the liable party may be required to compensate you for your financial, physical, and psychological hardships.
Accordingly, recoverable damages come in many different forms, including:
- Healthcare expenses, including future expenses
- Lost income
- Diminished earning potential
- Property damage
- Mental anguish, including lost self-esteem and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Lost passions, loss of consortium, and impaired quality of life
- Accommodations for disfigurements and disabilities
- Physical pain and suffering
- And more
To consult with an experienced slip and fall accident lawyer serving Gainesville, call 855-780-9986
Comparative Fault in Slip and Fall Accidents
When determining your eligibility for damages, the court will examine all the factors that contributed to your accident. Fortunately, Florida practices “comparative fault,” which allows liability to be split between multiple entities—as such, being partially responsible for your accident does not automatically prevent you from recovering damages – according to Florida Statutes §768.81.
If you were less than 50 percent liable, you can still be compensated for your losses. However, if you were between one percent and 49 percent liable for your injuries, your settlement may be reduced based on your percentage of responsibility.
A Gainesville slip and fall lawyer can help you better understand the unique laws that govern these cases. Additionally, our attorneys at Bogin, Munns & Munns can help you gather evidence that identifies the liable party.
To learn more about comparative fault in slip and fall accidents, contact a Bogin, Munns & Munns representative today at (352) 332-7688 to receive your free consultation.
Gainesville Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer Near Me 855-780-9986
The Role of Premises Liability in Slip and Fall Cases
Most slip and fall accidents fall under the umbrella of premises liability because the law grants you a reasonable expectation of safety while on another person’s property. However, property owners do not owe you a “duty of care” unless you meet some basic requirements. These requirements are based on your reason for being on the property, whether the property owner knew you were there, and whether you were legally allowed to be there.
The Florida Bar describes the different types of visitors who are afforded duty of care:
- Public Invitees: Members of the public who visited the property to fulfill its intended purpose
- Business Invitees: Individuals who were invited onto the property to directly or indirectly conduct business with the property owner
- Licensee by Invitation: Social guests of the property owner
There are two main visitors who are not owed a full duty of care: uninvited licensees and trespassers. These are people who visit the property for their convenience without receiving a reasonable invitation to be there.
The property owner does not have to guard these visitors against third-party crimes, and they do not have to accommodate them like other visitors. However, the property owner still has to refrain from injuring uninvited licensees and trespassers through willful harm or gross negligence.
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Frequent Causes of Slip and Falls
Slip and falls can cause victims to fall on the same level or from multiple levels when they fall from a significant height. As such, many slip and fall accidents are caused by improper cleaning, poor construction, neglected landscaping, and other factors.
Overall, the most common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Carpets
- Stairs
- Nails
- Railings
- Cables
- Potholes
- Wet or icy surfaces
- And more
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Common Injuries from Slip and Fall Accidents
According to the CDC, about 37% of fall victims require medical treatment for their injuries. These injuries can result in skyrocketing medical bills from the treatments you receive during your initial hospitalization and subsequent recovery period.
Some of these common injuries include:
- Hip fractures and other types of broken bones
- Facial injuries, which may cause disfigurements
- Soft tissue damage
- Nerve damage
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Internal injuries
- Spinal injuries, ruptured disks, and various forms of paralysis
- And more
Slip and Fall Attorneys Fighting for Victims in Gainesville
Here at Bogin, Munns & Munns, we want you to feel confident in your future when you have a Gainesville slip and fall lawyer in your corner. While no case is guaranteed to award compensation, our attorneys will be there to help ease your burdens during your legal proceedings.
If we need to go to court, we can help you prove liability, represent your case at trial, deal with insurance companies, evaluate the losses in your case, and so much more. Just remember that Florida law establishes a two-year statute of limitations on most slip and fall claims in Gainesville. To remain eligible for damages, you must file legal action in a timely manner.
For more information about our legal services at Bogin, Munns & Munns, contact a team member today at (352) 332-7688 to get started with your free consultation.
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